UPDATE, 3:36 p.m.:

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office held a press briefing at Miranda’s Rescue this afternoon. Click here for more. 


Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office personnel digging at Miranda’s Rescue property near Fortuna this morning. | Video/photos by Ryan Burns.

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UPDATE 10 A.M.: Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, California Attorney General’s Office, California Department of Justice, United States Department of Agriculture, and Federal Bureau of Investigation, is actively conducting a search warrant operation and follow-up investigation at Miranda’s Rescue, located at 1603 Sandy Prairie Road in Fortuna, California.

Background: On April 22, 2026, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received credible information regarding allegations of felony animal abuse, animal cruelty, fraud, and conspiracy associated with Miranda’s Rescue.

Due to the serious nature and complexity of the allegations, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division was assigned as the lead investigative unit. A search warrant was obtained and authorized for Miranda’s Rescue, including the residence and business property.

On May 1, 2026, at approximately 6:30 p.m., investigators served the search warrant and seized evidence related to the investigation. Since that time, investigators have interviewed dozens of animal shelters throughout California, as well as some shelters outside of the state. Investigators have also interviewed witnesses and victims and have received hundreds of tips through phone calls and emails.

Through the investigation, it has been determined that hundreds of dogs were transferred or turned over to Miranda’s Rescue by private citizens and animal shelters. A significant number of those animals have not been accounted for.

Additional Search: Based on the large number of animals that remain unaccounted for, investigators served a second search warrant at Miranda’s Rescue on June 23, 2026, at 8:00am.  The warrant authorizes the excavation of the property in an effort to locate additional deceased animals believed to be buried on site.

Sheriff’s investigators have been working collaboratively with the FBI, California Department of Justice, United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, California Attorney General’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California.   This is an active animal cruelty, fraud, and theft investigation.   

Members of the Cal Poly Humboldt Anthropology Department, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and private forensic veterinarians are assisting with the excavation operation.  Additional information, if available, will be provided on scene at 2:00 p.m. in the 1600 block of Sandy Prairie Road.  

Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251.

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Investigators appear to use ground-penetrating radar as a part of the excavation operation. 


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Original post: A large contingent of Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office personnel have descended on the Miranda’s Rescue property just south of Fortuna this morning, and they’ve come equipped with a backhoe, according to Jennifer Raymond, the woman who lives next door and who helped spearhead an investigation into alleged animal abuse by owner/operator Shannon Miranda.

Raymond said motion-activated trail cams on her property captured the arrival of sheriff’s deputies to the property.

At the courthouse yesterday the Outpost spoke briefly with Undersheriff Justin Braud, who said there will be a press release issued this morning regarding a new development in the investigation. 

This is breaking news. We’ll have updates as the story develops.

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A sheriff’s vehicle outside Miranda’s property this morning.

A line of cars near Miranda’s property.